Ahead of his time

Ahead of his time

Originally published in Spring 2007, this is just one of many stories from Madison magazine's award-winning Professors You Love series, written by JMU students and alumni, about the professors that have made the most impact on their lives — then, and now.

Biology professor Stephen
Bocskey visits
with Madison College
students on the Quad by
Wilson Hall just before
commencement (circa
1950s). "Professor Bocskey
pushed us to be independent,"
says Maryon
Smith Crouse ('54).

Surely, some still remember him. My freshman year
and my Madison Experience would not have been
the same without him.

Quiet, humble, unpretentious Stephen Bocskey
never wore his mortarboard when faculty members
donned their robes and academic finery to walk to
Wednesday assembly. But like his beautiful personality, the
golden tassel on his academic robe showed through — revealing
his position as professor of biology, respected member of
the Madison College science department and beloved teacher at
Madison in 1951.

If I close my eyes and listen, I still hear his gentle voice nudging
me and my classmates to always do better. We all enjoyed his
"down-home philosophy."

"Now girls," he would say. "Just don't sit around all day eating
chocolate bonbons." In 1951, Mr. Bocskey's constant push for
female independence was quite a bit ahead of the times. We hung
on his every word, his every suggestion; and we learned, oh how
we learned.

A quiz every Thursday — complete with its bonus question —
was a new phenomenon for us freshmen. The only bonus question
I remember was for 10 extra points. "What is the difference
between a jackass and a maple tree?"

I really thought I was a smart young lady when I answered,
"I've never been taught by a maple tree!"

I got my 10 bonus points.

Professor Bocskey had a wonderful sense of humor. I never
even thought about cutting his class. I might miss some interesting
something from his biological world taught in his logical way.
His introduction to the mysteries of the human body were taught
so well that I remember most of the
lessons to this day. And there were
the little perks that he shared. A break
from lab to smoke a cigarette (it was
OK then), Cokes from his personal
refrigerator or the personal chats with
a real college professor. What a great
beginning to my college career.

When I was teaching, I would often
stop, think and try to remember just what it was that motivated
this art major to become so turned on by an unassuming science
teacher. I can find no answer. I truly believe professor Bocskey
was a gift from God, given to those of us who were fortunate
enough to be in his classes.

I wish I could find words to express what a difference he made
in the lives of my fellow freshmen — and probably in those freshman
classes that followed mine. I wish I could write it in one big
book and title it How to Teach: A Method that Works. Then and
only then, would I be able to share the gift of Stephen Bocskey
with the rest of the world. He was the best.

About the professor
Stephen Charles Bocskey taught biology at Madison
College from 1947 to 1960. He left Madison to teach at Ferris State
University, where he taught until he died in 1964. He also taught at Notre
Dame (his alma mater) and Chicago Teachers College. The professor spent
many Madison summers teaching at the nursing school at the C&O Hospital
in Clifton Forge. Bocskey's son, Charles, who is married to Rebecca "Becky"
Lee Bocskey ('64), says he remembers his father laughing heartily and sharing
Crouse's "10 bonus points story" for years.

About the author
Maryon Smith Crouse ('54) of Altamonte Springs, Fla., is a retired art teacher from the Crealde School of Art in Winter Park, Fla.